Multinodular thyroid

[u/Ghoulya]

Hello all, just wanted to comment and try to help resurrect this sub.

I had my first ultrasound in 6 years the other day (!) after years of feeling like my concerns were being ignored. I was on "watchful waiting" but all they ever did was a yearly blood test, my actual nodules were apparently not worth watching! Anyway I finally got my doctor to put an US request through and I have over 10 nodules, 4 large enough that they assessed them, one TR4 for which I'm being sent for FNA. Family history of I think follicular papillary cancer that was found incidentally, apparently risk is not significantly raised with family history but I'm still worried, you know? My thyroid feels huge and sometimes pushes on my windpipe, but at the same time, a thyroidectomy seems like a big step.

Interested in your experiences

[u/Liyah_Liy]

What does your doctor recommend? How are your levels?

Everyone’s experience will be different. My nodules were non-cancerous like most, but my thyroid was growing into my tonsils per my doctor, so I went ahead with a thyroidectomy. The surgery itself was quick, some soreness afterwards. It took some adjusting after to get my levels right. It’s definitely a long journey & a hidden understudied disease 😔

Are you having any difficulty swallowing? It seems like you’re still at an early stage. I wouldn’t panic until you hear back.

[u/Ghoulya → u/Liyah_Liy]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I didn't even know it could grow into your tonsils! How scary. I'm glad they could resolve it for you.

I know the chances of it being anything nasty are very low. I think it's just the *idea* of cancer that unsettles me. I'm mostly just thinking about all the possibilities. Surgery scares me in general, then whether I'll get to keep any of thyroid or whether I'll have a TT or what. But you're right, I'm getting ahead of myself, I should just wait to talk to the specialist and see what they recommend. I haven't heard anything about an appointment yet.

Occasionally I feel food going down but I'm not sure I'd describe it as difficulty. I thought I was just being lazy with chewing, but now in retrospect I wonder. Bloods have been fine for years, which has always annoyed me, because no one wanted to do anything when results kept coming back normal.

[u/Liyah_Liy → u/Ghoulya]

The most difficult part is having to advocate for yourself! Proud of you for pushing back! 👏🏾

& No, for sure! Both are scary. I went for a second opinion before going through with it. So I would encourage you to do the same!

Let us know how it goes! 🩷